Press Releases

U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairman John Kline (R-MN) released the following statement today on the anniversary of the Upper Big Branch mining disaster:

“One year ago, the community of Montcoal, West Virginia was forever changed when the explosion at Upper Big Branch Mine took the lives of 29 miners. The tragic events of last April still weigh heavily on the hearts of Americans everywhere, and our prayers remain with the families affected by this tragedy.

“As we honor those whose lives were lost, we must also remember the thousands of miners continuing to work every day to help meet the energy needs of homes and businesses across the country. These miners accept the risks of this inherently dangerous profession, and deserve our appreciation and unwavering commitment to their health and safety.

“Toward that end, we will continue working to ensure federal law provides strong mine safety protections and that those protections are enforced to the fullest extent of the law.”